Appeal for Christmas, 2002 from Beit Sahour Municipality on behalf of the citizens of Beit Sahour

Appeal for Christmas, 2002 from Beit Sahour Municipality on behalf of the citizens of Beit Sahour

We are now approaching the festive season of Christmas, a time that used to be full of joy and happiness. For many years the district of Bethlehem welcomed thousands of visitors who came to spend their holidays in the land of Jesus’s birth, but now we see very few people come here.

We are now approaching the festive season of Christmas, a time that used to be full of joy and happiness. For many years the district of Bethlehem welcomed thousands of visitors who came to spend their holidays in the land of Jesus’s birth, but now we see very few people come here.

At the time of year when we consider goodwill to one another and cherish the fundamental teachings of Christianity, I would like to ask you to consider spending the holidays here with us in Beit Sahour. Now, more than ever before in history, the future is looking very bleak. An increase in attacks against civilians around the globe and the prospect of an American led war against Iraq is threatening the safety, stability and security of so many innocent people.

We would like to make this Christmas different. We want the world to stand up and say enough violence, enough war. By coming to Palestine you can send a clear message to the leaders of your respective countries that the only way to solve conflicts is through dialogue and sincere negotiation, not with weapons and bombs. By standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people we can show our opposition to the ongoing oppression and subjugation we suffer through the illegal occupation of our land, as well as the ongoing repression of other peoples throughout the world. Peace and justice must prevail for there to be any hope for the future of humanity.